I Investigated about Dangerous Indian Navy Rescue of all Time (TRUE STORY)

Barge P-305

On 17 May 2021, during the onset of Cyclone Tauktae, the accommodation barge P-305 of Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) went adrift in the Arabian Sea off the west coast of India, near the Bombay High and Heera oil-field region, approximately 70 km south-west of Mumbai. The barge was carrying around 261 personnel on board when its anchor failed and the vessel began to drift dangerously in extremely adverse sea conditions. Eventually, the barge collided with an oil platform and sank amid high winds of over 200 km/h and waves reportedly reaching up to 10 metres.

Rescue Operation by the Indian Navy

Upon receiving the distress call, the Indian Navy swiftly deployed multiple surface ships and aircraft to carry out a massive search and rescue operation in the middle of the cyclone. Warships such as INS Kochi, INS Kolkata, and others from the Western Naval Command were immediately sent to the site. The Navy used maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters like the Sea King and Chetak, and other support vessels to locate and rescue survivors in the rough seas.
By 19–20 May, the Navy successfully rescued 186 people from the barge, while also recovering bodies of those who had drowned. Despite the harsh conditions, naval personnel continued to search for the missing for several days. Many survivors later said that no one would have survived if not for the Navy’s timely intervention and extraordinary courage in the face of the storm.

Challenges and Issues

The tragedy occurred despite clear warnings and cyclone alerts. The barge, instead of moving to a safe distance, reportedly remained anchored dangerously close—around 200 metres—from the oil platform. When the cyclone intensified, the anchor could not hold against the powerful winds and waves, causing the vessel to drift uncontrollably. The barge’s distress call was sent only after the anchor had already dragged, which left very little time for rescue teams to respond before it capsized.

Aftermath and Accountability

The incident resulted in the loss of at least 70 lives, making it one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in Indian offshore history. The Mumbai Police filed a case against the barge master and others for negligence, as investigations revealed that safety procedures and cyclone warnings had not been adequately followed. ONGC and other authorities launched inquiries to understand why the vessel remained at such a high-risk location despite advance alerts and standard operating procedures that required evacuation or repositioning to safety.

Significance for Maritime Safety and Naval Response

The P-305 disaster highlighted the extreme vulnerability of offshore accommodation and support vessels during severe cyclones, especially when anchors fail or vessels delay moving to safe zones. It also demonstrated the professionalism, skill, and bravery of the Indian Navy, whose quick action and coordinated operations saved nearly two hundred lives in impossible conditions.

This incident serves as a powerful lesson for the offshore oil and maritime industries in India, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to weather warnings, better emergency preparedness, and improved protocols for evacuation and safety. It also reinforced the Indian Navy’s vital role in humanitarian and disaster-response missions, showcasing their ability to operate effectively even under the most dangerous circumstances.